Village passes motion opposing toll hike

September 12, 2012

That was part of the reason Village of Westfield Mayor David Carr gave in asking the Board of Trustees to approve a motion opposing the proposed toll increases on the New York State Thruway during a meeting on Monday, Aug. 20.

The reason the mayor made the motion, which was not on the agenda, was because he is concerned the 35 to 45 percent toll increase on heavy vehicles proposed by the Thruway Authority will encourage truckers to find alternatives to Interstate 90.

Article Photos

Photo by Jenna LoughlinVillage of Westfield Mayor David Carr, center, submitted a motion opposing a toll hike at the Board of Trustees meeting on Monday, Aug. 20. Member of the board, from left to right, are: Rob Cochran; Chris Jaynes; Dave Brooker; and Rick Raynor.

"My fear is if those trucks start coming off on Route 5 and 20, we're gonna have an unpleasant situation here," Carr said.

The mayor has written letters or sent emails in opposition to the increase to the Gov. Andrew Cuomo's office as well as state legislators and local legislators. Carr said he does not see a need for the increased rate.

"The Thruway Authority owns the Erie Canal and I think that is sucking the money right out of the Thruway," Carr said.

"Toll hikes is just going to increase trucking cost, is just going to increase food which is going to increase everything," Trustee Chris Jaynes said.

The motion for the board to oppose any tool hikes in the near future was passed unanimously.

Code Enforcement Officer and Building Inspector Jim Pacanowski reported to the board the Department of Environmental Conservation has changed its rules on outdoor wood burners, and although rules are supposed to be enforced by the DEC, the organization wants towns and villages to put these new rules into their local zoning laws. Mayor Carr was not in favor of such an addition, and neither was Pacanowski, who added he knows of only one location in the village which could accommodate the 100 foot from any property line rule anyway.

Trustee Rob Cochran asked Pacanowski if he had learned of any new tools as to what can be done with abandoned homes after attending a recent seminar put on by NYCOM regarding Code Enforcement and Other Tools to Deal with Vacant, Neglected and Abandoned Properties along with Carr and Village Clerk Vince Luce. Pacanowski responded there are not many options other than using the property maintenance code and zoning codes to charge them and take property owners to court.

"It didn't give us any new alternatives on how to do it," Pacanowski said.

"We don't have any money to do these," he said, speaking about the village attempting to take ownership of the properties.

Carr added the issue banks and loan companies not wanting to foreclose and be responsible for the properties. So, they pay the taxes on them meaning there is nothing the village can do.

In other business, the board approved Bill Culligan's appointment to the Department of Public Works Advisory Board and Resolution no. 15-2012 regarding MEUA Delegates. The board also agreed to split the cost for the recent Civil War re-enactment with the town, thus each municipality paid $281 to the Chautauqua County Historical Society.

The board approved purchases of water material for the Department of Public Works and declared the burned electric truck as surplus property as well as giving permission to go out to bid for a replacement truck. Electric Superintendent William Boneberg said he expects the truck to cost around $190,000, but still does not know how much insurance money the village will get from the burned truck.

Finally, the mayor announced two new businesses are getting ready to open on Main Street. One will be Parkview Caf near the corner of Route 20 and Portage Street while the other is Main Street Salon near Union Street.

That was part of the reason Village of Westfield Mayor David Carr gave in asking the Board of Trustees to approve a motion opposing the proposed toll increases on the New York State Thruway during a meeting on Monday, Aug. 20.

The reason the mayor made the motion, which was not on the agenda, was because he is concerned the 35 to 45 percent toll increase on heavy vehicles proposed by the Thruway Authority will encourage truckers to find alternatives to Interstate 90.

"My fear is if those trucks start coming off on Route 5 and 20, we're gonna have an unpleasant situation here," Carr said.

The mayor has written letters or sent emails in opposition to the increase to the Gov. Andrew Cuomo's office as well as state legislators and local legislators. Carr said he does not see a need for the increased rate.

"The Thruway Authority owns the Erie Canal and I think that is sucking the money right out of the Thruway," Carr said.

"Toll hikes is just going to increase trucking cost, is just going to increase food which is going to increase everything," Trustee Chris Jaynes said.

The motion for the board to oppose any tool hikes in the near future was passed unanimously.

Code Enforcement Officer and Building Inspector Jim Pacanowski reported to the board the Department of Environmental Conservation has changed its rules on outdoor wood burners, and although rules are supposed to be enforced by the DEC, the organization wants towns and villages to put these new rules into their local zoning laws. Mayor Carr was not in favor of such an addition, and neither was Pacanowski, who added he knows of only one location in the village which could accommodate the 100 foot from any property line rule anyway.

Trustee Rob Cochran asked Pacanowski if he had learned of any new tools as to what can be done with abandoned homes after attending a recent seminar put on by NYCOM regarding Code Enforcement and Other Tools to Deal with Vacant, Neglected and Abandoned Properties along with Carr and Village Clerk Vince Luce. Pacanowski responded there are not many options other than using the property maintenance code and zoning codes to charge them and take property owners to court.

"It didn't give us any new alternatives on how to do it," Pacanowski said.

"We don't have any money to do these," he said, speaking about the village attempting to take ownership of the properties.

Carr added the issue banks and loan companies not wanting to foreclose and be responsible for the properties. So, they pay the taxes on them meaning there is nothing the village can do.

In other business, the board approved Bill Culligan's appointment to the Department of Public Works Advisory Board and Resolution no. 15-2012 regarding MEUA Delegates. The board also agreed to split the cost for the recent Civil War re-enactment with the town, thus each municipality paid $281 to the Chautauqua County Historical Society.

The board approved purchases of water material for the Department of Public Works and declared the burned electric truck as surplus property as well as giving permission to go out to bid for a replacement truck. Electric Superintendent William Boneberg said he expects the truck to cost around $190,000, but still does not know how much insurance money the village will get from the burned truck.

Finally, the mayor announced two new businesses are getting ready to open on Main Street. One will be Parkview Caf near the corner of Route 20 and Portage Street while the other is Main Street Salon near Union Street.